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Taos Ski Valley P&Z backs AI-condensed zoning ordinance draft and orders solid-waste language for review
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed an AI-condensed draft of Ordinance 17-030 and directed staff to draft a new 'Solid Waste Disposal and Control' provision for Section 7, citing problems with construction debris during the prior season. The Commission asked that P&Z review all recommendations before referral to the Mayor and Council.
The Taos Ski Valley Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed proposed amendments to Ordinance 17-030 during its July 7, 2025 meeting, including an AI-processed draft and a new requirement for handling construction-related solid waste.
Commissioner Scott Hall told the panel he used AI software called Grok to process a 99-page ordinance into a 76-page version intended to simplify code language and structure. Chair Tom Wittman and other commissioners discussed separating “planning only” content from “zoning only” content to further shorten and clarify the ordinance.
Wittman said the Commission wants to add a new Section 7 requirement titled “Solid Waste Disposal and Control” that would require development plans to include provisions for the handling, containment and disposal of solid waste and would establish penalties for noncompliance. Wittman raised the change after noting that in the May 2025 construction season contractors left materials that blew around the Village, creating cleanup and safety concerns.
Village Administrator Rick Bellis told commissioners that staff will draft proposed language for the solid-waste requirement and return the draft for Commission review. Chair Wittman requested that the Commission review and finalize recommendations before forwarding any ordinance amendments to the Mayor and Village Council.
The Commission did not take a formal vote recorded in the minutes on the Ordinance 17-030 AI draft or the solid-waste language at this meeting; the actions recorded were directions to staff to prepare ordinance changes and to return them for consideration at a future P&Z meeting.
Next steps: staff will prepare draft language for a Solid Waste Disposal and Control requirement and present the AI-condensed ordinance and any proposed changes for P&Z review at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
